- Procedures that use medical tools in or near a possible abnormality in the body often use computed tomography (CT) scans to locate the abnormality and guide the path that a needle will take to collect a sample of tissue. Xperguide and electromagnetic (EM) tracking are two new procedures being studied to help guide the needle. Xperguide is software that uses CT images to help the doctor choose the needle path. EM tracking uses special medical tools with miniature coils that act like a GPS device to show the location of the needle in the body. Xperguide and EM tracking have been used in humans and have good results, but they have not been compared with each other and regular CT to determine whether they are better than the standard approach.

Objectives:

- To compare the results of Xperguide, electromagnetic tracking, and regular computed tomography during a guided percutaneous procedure.

Eligibility:

- Individuals at least 18 years of age who are required to have a CT-guided percutaneous procedure.

Design:

Participants will be screened with a physical examination and medical history, and the results of any previous imaging studies will be examined before study enrollment.

After a pilot phase, the study will involve two phases to compare the results of the different procedures. The first phase will involve comparing Xperguide to CT, and the second will involve comparing Xperguide to EM tracking.

Phase 1 participants will be assigned to one of two procedure groups: Group 1 will have Xperguide, and Group 2 will have regular CT. Participants who are scheduled to have repeated procedures (like a biopsy before and after chemotherapy) will be randomized for the first procedure and the second procedure will be done using the other method.

Phase 2 participants will be assigned to one of two procedure groups: Group 1 will have Xperguide, and Group 2 will have EM tracking. Participants who are scheduled to have repeated procedures (like a biopsy before and after chemotherapy) will be randomized for the first procedure and the second procedure will be done using the other method.

Standard post-procedure followup care will be given after the study procedure is completed.

patients with an altered mental status that precludes understanding or consenting for the procedure

patients unable to hold reasonably still on a procedure table for the length of the procedure

patient unable to hold their breath if the procedure will be performed with conscious sedation and without general anesthesia

patient with a gross body weight over 375 pounds (upper limit of the CT and angiography tables)

Contacts and Locations

Choosing to participate in a study is an important personal decision. Talk with your doctor and family members or friends about deciding to join a study.
To learn more about this study, you or your doctor may contact the study research staff using the Contacts provided below.
For general information, see Learn About Clinical Studies.

Please refer to this study by its ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01287013